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Saturday, July 30, 2011

When I was in elementary school in Nebraska, August always meant vacation time in the mountains of Colorado. My dad had a month vacation and mother did not work away from home. The first few days of August meant we were headed toward Colorado for at least a two week and often a three week stay. It was a time I always looked forward to with great anticipation.

Vacation time with my family meant camping in a tent, a station wagon, friends and lots of new experiences. We explored areas of the Rocky Mountains then that are now famous for their vistas and views. Then (late ‘50's early ‘60's) hardly anyone had ever heard of them. They were isolated and pristine. There were no campgrounds, no flush toilets, and no electricity. We enjoyed each other’s company, took in the natural surroundings and celebrated time together and time with God.

No thoughts of school starting in the middle or end of August. School did not start until the day after Labor Day in September. August was our time to reconnect with family, friends, and God. My, how times have changed!

School starts in Iowa City on August 18, 2011. Summer vacation ends for students, teachers, and families in just a few days. Preparations are already in the works for the start of school. School supplies are on “sale” in major stores. Back-to-school clothes are being purchased and soon the sights and sounds of young people will again fill the halls of school buildings. Where did the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer go?

Times are different in the early part of the twenty-first century than they were in the mid-twentieth-century. We live in a vastly different world with vastly different ways of living and life. Yet, I think there is still time for some of the same things to occur.

There can still be a time for families, friends, and God to reconnect. There is still time for some leisure before the routine begins again in life. There is even time in the midst of the routine for some time to “get away” and reconnect with the important things in living. There may not be large blocks of time like I enjoyed years ago, but we can make a few hours or a day or two available to us if we are willing to commit to making and using the time to do so. Look at your schedules, what can you bend a little or undo so that you can have some time for reflection, relaxation, and reconnecting to the things that matter most, family, friends, and God?

Go ahead, give it a try! You may find the routine in life goes better when a little time is freed up for life outside that routine. Have a good August.

Please mark Sunday, July 31, 2011 on your calendar!!! The Church Council is inviting all members and friends of Faith United Church of Christ to gather following morning worship at 9:30 a.m. that morning to a second congregational conversation.

This conversation will be a follow-up to the conversation held in April. This time we will be asked what issues identified in the April conversation are still of concern, what issues are no longer of concern and what things have changed since last we gathered. Additionally, there will be a time to share new/different concerns that need to be addressed and a time for making some plans to move into the near future.

Your input into the process is very important. If you cannot be present, please take some time to share your views with Council Members or Rev. Bob.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

We have not yet reached the half-way point in our Christmas in July celebration and we have met one of our goals. We wanted to collect 2011 baby wipes for the Domestic Violence Intervention Program for this year. We have already collected more than 3000!!!! Thank you all---but keep them coming. Let's see if you can't reach a new goal of a "Godly Gold" Baby Bottom wash (please see the attached pictures).

I have attached several pictures of our collected items. This Sunday, July 17, is "Undie" Sunday in which we are seeking new packages of underwear of all sizes. The most pronounced need is for larger women's sizes and large teenage boys, yet socks and underwear of all sizes as well as diapers and pull-ups are needed.

Join us this Sunday, and TWO more Sundays in July to celebrate "Christmas In July" for the benefit of DVIP. See you in church!!!

Unique and engaging worship experiences happen every Sunday. But some of our special services include: Candlelight Christmas Eve, Easter Sunrise, Pride Sunday, Blessing of the Animals, Lenten Contemplative Service, etc. Please join us for worship on Sunday at 9:30 am.

Spiritual Music is used to express our faith in ways that are deeper than words alone.

Christian education and spiritual formation are held for all ages after worship. The adults study Scripture, explore special topics, do creative writing, discuss books, engage in artistic expressions of faith, etc.

Relationship-building is central to our life as a community. Adult fellowship deepens our ties to one another through sharing meals, plays, sports, gardening, concerts, games, etc.

Mission activities in the community are an important expression of our faith. Some of our missions include: Twain Operation Backpack, Free Lunch Program, Shelter House, Domestic Violence Intervention Program, Crisis Center, etc. Special mission appeals are also done throughout the year.